Car accidents can lead to significant injuries and extensive property damage. In order to recover compensation, you have to prove that the other party caused the incident. There are various types of evidence that need to be gathered in these situations, some of which must be obtained at the scene of the accident, and other types of evidence that can be gathered in the days and weeks that follow the incident.
We have already discussed in depth the kinds of evidence as well as some specific legal matters. In this article, let us recap how you can prove fault in a car accident or protect yourself when involved in a traffic related case.
Gathering Evidence to Prove Liability
The process of determining fault for a car accident begins right after an incident occurs. In some cases, it is completely up to law enforcement officials to conduct an initial investigation and fill out an accident report. Police officers come to the scene, take statements from all parties involved, and note who or what they think caused the accident. For severe accidents that result in major injuries or a fatality, police officers will conduct a more extensive investigation.
Individuals who are involved in a vehicle accident can also gather evidence if it is safe for them to do so and if they have not sustained severe injuries. Any person at the scene of a crash can use their cell phone to take pictures of what they see, including:
- Vehicle damage
- Injuries
- Debris or skid marks
- Traffic conditions
- Weather conditions
- Possible causes of the crash
- License plate numbers
Additionally, if there were any eyewitnesses to the crash, it is important for those involved to get their names and contact information so they can give their statements later to insurance carriers or even at a personal injury trial if necessary.
There may be additional evidence that has to be gathered in the days and weeks that follow the car accident. Often, a crash victim will need to work with an attorney to obtain this additional evidence, which can include video surveillance from cameras on nearby homes or businesses, dashcam surveillance footage, mobile device data, vehicle data recording devices, and more.
Working With Accident Reconstruction Experts
In most cases, the fault for a vehicle accident in Michigan can be determined by gathering and analyzing all the evidence we mentioned above. However, there are times when the fault may not be so clear. It may be necessary to work with an accident reconstruction expert who can use computer modeling, science, and mathematics to analyze the evidence gathered and the crash scene to put together a clear picture of what likely happened.
Partial Fault for a Michigan Car Accident
It may be the case that a person is partially responsible for causing a vehicle accident, but that does not mean they will recover no compensation. Michigan operates under a “modified comparative negligence” theory, which means compensation recovery is possible so long as the person is 50% or less responsible for the incident. Individuals will receive reduced compensation based on their percentage of fault for an incident. For example, if a driver sustains $100,000 worth of injury and property damage expenses in a crash, but a jury determines that they were 10% responsible for the incident, they would receive $90,000 instead of the full $100,000. Any person 51% or more responsible for a car accident will not be able to recover compensation.
Haque Legal Has Your Back
Here at Haque Legal, we always have your back. Make sure that on your first free consultation we tell you everything that you need to know about your case as well as the cost and the expenses that would be associated with the filing of your case.
The consultation is free for the first time because we understand that you need to at least have that guidance coming from a reputable law firm and lawyer to assess your case. If you have a personal injury case and you need a lawyer to handle it you can always contact our law firm and we can talk about your situation and the best way that we can handle it, especially in terms of the expenses.
Let Haque Legal Help You With Your Case
If you require a lawyer who can assist you with ensuring that you protect your rights, it is important to know that you also have a team that can help you out with your specific needs.
Our law firm is dedicated to making sure that those who are innocent will be protected by the law and that the full extent of justice will be used.
Disclaimer
The article that you have read is based on general applications of the law. It is not legal advice and it is not to be construed as any legal consultation with the firm. No client-attorney relationship is created when you read the articles we have provided.
Let us help you out
If you need a lawyer to help you during your proceedings, call us immediately. If you have any problem with the law or are seeking justice and truth, our numbers are standing by to take your call.
The post Fault In Michigan Car Accident and Traffic Cases: An Update appeared first on Haque Legal.